When families fall on hard times, so do their pets.
That’s why East Tennessee Spay and Neuter has created a crowdfunding campaign called Be a Hero to a Pet.
The fundraiser aims to financially support the ETSN’s Pet Food Pantry, which helps feed 500 pets in Carter County every month.
“We do it to keep them out of the shelter and with the families who love them,” said Danika Nadzan, ETSN’s executive director. “Just $50 feeds one dog for a whole year, and $25 feeds one cat for a year.”
The goal was set at $10,350. ETSN kicked off the drive during the last week of June and has raised 85 percent of that goal already.
“We want this money to last through winter and on into the spring,” she said.
Nadzan hopes ETSN can raise the remaining 15 percent within the next 20 days. She has faith that the community will come through for her organization.
“This is a really tight knit community,” Nadzan said. “The best thing I’ve found around here is that the people here really care about the community.”
While spay and neuter is the group’s priority, they also recognize that animals enter the shelter for reasons out of their and their owner’s control.
“Everything ETSN does is to support the shelter,” Nadzan said. “We keep the animals from going there. We need the community to get involved in that, too.”
Nadzan speaks from personal experience, which is what inspired her to start the ETSN organization. When she lost her job, she was afraid she would lose her pets, too.
“It was really a struggle,” she said. “Each thing we’ve done has grown out of my own experience or talking with other people we’ve been helping.”
If there’s no help for pet owners, Nadzan explained that there will be many more animals to rescue or euthanize.
“Helping out with a little bit of food makes a difference until the owner can get back on their feet,” she said. “It costs on average $100-150 to capture, house, feed, and euthanize a pet at the shelter, but just $50 will help us feed a dog for a year. This is so much more compassionate and cost-effective.”
There are many ways the community can help the organization make life better for local pets and their families. Nadzan first recommends donating to the Be a Hero to a Pet program. Donations may be mailed by check to ETSN, P.O. Box 2171, Elizabethton, Tenn., 37644. Cash donations are accepted by Big John’s Closeouts and 3B’s Thrift Shop. To donate online, visit www.loveanimals.org/be-a-hero-to-a-pet.html.
ETSN is also hosting a car wash and yard sale over the next two weeks.
“We are in need of volunteers,” Nadzan said.
The car wash will be held at Bojangles on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Aug. 1, ETSN will have a yard sale at Tractor Supply. Table space costs $10 and participants are required to bring their own table. ETSN will be selling pet items and baked goods.
To volunteer or secure table space, call Michelle Jenkins at 707-7831. For more information about ETSN, call 289-5548.